Do indy developers copyright initials?

Ben E Lou · 12-02-2005, 03:52 PM

This is why I ask: http://www.geeksoft.net/

Hurst2112 · 12-02-2005, 03:56 PM

I don't think it's a matter of copyright than an issue with trademark. 2 different things.

And, in a court case, FOF in regards to Front Office Football would probably trump this thing due to length of use (history)

Ben E Lou · 12-02-2005, 04:23 PM

Yeah...trademark, not copyright...but the point still holds: is it kosher for a sim game to be titled "Front Office..." anything?

Hurst2112 · 12-02-2005, 05:10 PM

I wouldn't think so. Did Jim trademark FOF? If so, then he's safe. If not, then he still might be able to retain the rights to it because he has held an interest in that since 98 or so. Perhaps not the initials but the courts do look at obvious acronyms in conjunction with Front Office Football.

I guess its a bit similar to WWF and the World Wildlife Federation

Solecismic · 12-02-2005, 05:14 PM

Ugh. Not kosher at all. How did you hear of them? They just announced yesterday, right?

Hurst2112 · 12-02-2005, 05:16 PM

kick their ass Sea Bass!

Ben E Lou · 12-02-2005, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solecismic

How did you hear of them?

Saw this thread: http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum...ead.php?t=8476

SirFozzie · 12-02-2005, 05:17 PM

Probably did a search on FOF and that came up.

digamma · 12-02-2005, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDog

Yeah...trademark, not copyright...but the point still holds: is it kosher for a sim game to be titled "Front Office..." anything?

Yeah, I think the "Front Office..." aspect of things is most troublesome, in terms of customer confusion with this product being associated with Solecismic Software.

Hurst2112 · 12-02-2005, 05:18 PM

duh, on me. here i was referring to just FOF. I didn't realize that they use Front Office. That's a pretty big deal.

JeeberD · 12-02-2005, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solecismic

Ugh. Not kosher at all. How did you hear of them? They just announced yesterday, right?

I hope the GeekSoft people show up here. Then this thread would get really interesting...

Ben E Lou · 12-02-2005, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeeberD

I hope the GeekSoft people show up here. Then this thread would get really interesting...

Nah. I suspect that we'll check over there at some point in the near future and see the name of the game changed, and that will be that.

Shkspr · 12-02-2005, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solecismic

Ugh. Not kosher at all. How did you hear of them? They just announced yesterday, right?

So Front Office Football is in accord with Jewish dietary law? Sweet.

Swaggs · 12-02-2005, 11:06 PM

Didn't one of our posters have a site called Sim-something or other that got in trouble from EA and/or Maxis?

Hurst2112 · 12-02-2005, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Didn't one of our posters have a site called Sim-something or other that got in trouble from EA and/or Maxis?

funny how this turns into a blank degrees of dave dial thread.

dubb93 · 12-03-2005, 12:14 AM

I know the company has been around for a while as they have been making that zues e-fed helper for as long as I can remember. I hope Jim can get this taken care of as by the boards it appears they do just refer to it as "FOF".

cthomer5000 · 12-03-2005, 01:08 AM

FOF vs. FOF, steel cage match.

stevew · 12-03-2005, 04:31 AM

Yeah, I'd probably think that the game was associated with.made by the same people that make Front Office Football, just seeing the title on the site.

I dont think that "Front office" is even a term used much at all in wrestling, definately not a coincidence IMO.

Farrah Whitworth-Rahn · 12-03-2005, 06:30 AM

If they keep using WWE names in their game, Jim won't need to spend any legal fees to get them to knock it off. The WWE will take care of it for him. (3rd screenshot on the right, top left) They are very agressive in defending their trademarks. Trust me on that one.

Solecismic · 12-03-2005, 10:33 AM

This is a complex situation. From what I've read today, they came up with this name around the time the original Front Office Football was gaining attention.

They've been planning this game for years, under another name specifically because they were aware of my trademark. But they still internally referred to it as FOF, and probably did so as well with their customers.

I think they were testing the waters when they posted to Arlie's forum. The poster's name is the same as the AIM name of one of the founders of Geeksoft. He didn't seem surprised at all when I contacted him.

We'll see how this plays out. The names are just too close, so something has to be done. I've spent too much time and money getting the name out there - I can't let that work be affected.

DanGarion · 12-03-2005, 10:38 AM

So who's going to post on their message board for FOF that they can't wait for the next version of Front Office Football?

Airhog · 12-03-2005, 10:40 AM

I am not good with copyright law, but one would think that since you put out a product years before they did, even if they came up with the name originally, that you have rights over that name, and by them using that name, it could hurt your business.

Solecismic · 12-03-2005, 11:07 AM

Let's hope this doesn't have to get anywhere near a lawyer. We both lose if that happens. Sure, it would be a slam dunk legally, but that sort of thing creates long-lasting bad feelings from all parties.

Please don't antagonize them in any way. The bottom line is that they're a group of text sports sim enthusiasts, too, and I hope they succeed in the end. I just hope they reconsider their choice of product names.

Draft Dodger · 12-03-2005, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solecismic

Let's hope this doesn't have to get anywhere near a lawyer. We both lose if that happens. Sure, it would be a slam dunk legally, but that sort of thing creates long-lasting bad feelings from all parties.

Please don't antagonize them in any way. The bottom line is that they're a group of text sports sim enthusiasts, too, and I hope they succeed in the end. I just hope they reconsider their choice of product names.

if more people acted reasonably like this, the world would be a much better place, IMO.

Hurst2112 · 12-03-2005, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farrah Whitworth-Rahn

If they keep using WWE names in their game, Jim won't need to spend any legal fees to get them to knock it off. The WWE will take care of it for him. (3rd screenshot on the right, top left) They are very agressive in defending their trademarks. Trust me on that one.

Like Riz did with his first EHM (before SI), if you aren't selling it, I think you can put actual names in the game.

Not certain but i think.

Farrah Whitworth-Rahn · 12-03-2005, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

Like Riz did with his first EHM (before SI), if you aren't selling it, I think you can put actual names in the game.

Not certain but i think.

Nope. They don't care whether its being sold or not.

dubb93 · 12-03-2005, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farrah Whitworth-Rahn

Nope. They don't care whether its being sold or not.

Yup, I've heard of many e-feds being shut down. I have no clue of the legallity of shuting down people that aren't profitting off of the names but I know no one wants to bump heads with Vince's checkbook.

Rizon · 12-03-2005, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

Like Riz did with his first EHM (before SI), if you aren't selling it, I think you can put actual names in the game.

Not certain but i think.

I have the name "Riz" copyrighted, thanks.

Hurst2112 · 12-03-2005, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rizon

I have the name "Riz" copywrited, thanks.

that was you that I was emailing about ocx files 3 years ago?!?!

fine, be that way.

The artist formerly known as Risto.

Farrah Whitworth-Rahn · 12-03-2005, 03:36 PM

For the record, if anyone feels the need to use the initials "TPF" for anything, I'm totally fine with that.

JeeberD · 12-03-2005, 03:57 PM

I know of a pr0n board that has TPF as it's initials. You still cool with that?

Cringer · 12-03-2005, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farrah Whitworth-Rahn

For the record, if anyone feels the need to use the initials "TPF" for anything, I'm totally fine with that.

Thats good. Because I have this super cool idea to transfer our love of text sims over to toilet paper, so we can play a short game while on the pot. (Good for those without laptops).

Anyways, watch for Toilet Paper Football.

Farrah Whitworth-Rahn · 12-03-2005, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeeberD

I know of a pr0n board that has TPF as it's initials. You still cool with that?

somehow I'm not surprised that you know this.

Joe · 12-03-2005, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeeberD

I know of a pr0n board that has TPF as it's initials. You still cool with that?

Total Porn Fisting?

riz · 12-03-2005, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rizon

I have the name "Riz" copyrighted, thanks.

I object

JeeberD · 12-03-2005, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farrah Whitworth-Rahn

somehow I'm not surprised that you know this.

I'm a man, I have certain needs...

dubb93 · 12-17-2005, 05:48 PM

BUMP! When can we expect Total Porn Fisting to be released?

Ok, so thats not why I bumped this, seems they renamed the game "FedHead: Takeover"

Joe · 12-17-2005, 06:20 PM

what a gay name

dubb93 · 12-17-2005, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George W Bush

what a gay name

My thoughts exactly. It's just not very catchy.

12-02-2005, 03:56 PM	#2
Hurst2112 College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Minneapolis	I don't think it's a matter of copyright than an issue with trademark. 2 different things. And, in a court case, FOF in regards to Front Office Football would probably trump this thing due to length of use (history) __________________ http://www.myspace.com/longliveanalog

12-02-2005, 04:23 PM	#3
Ben E Lou Morgado's Favorite Forum Fascist Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Greensboro, NC	Yeah...trademark, not copyright...but the point still holds: is it kosher for a sim game to be titled "Front Office..." anything? __________________ The media don't understand the kinds of problems and pressures 54 million come wit'!

12-02-2005, 05:10 PM	#4
Hurst2112 College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Minneapolis	I wouldn't think so. Did Jim trademark FOF? If so, then he's safe. If not, then he still might be able to retain the rights to it because he has held an interest in that since 98 or so. Perhaps not the initials but the courts do look at obvious acronyms in conjunction with Front Office Football. I guess its a bit similar to WWF and the World Wildlife Federation __________________ http://www.myspace.com/longliveanalog

12-02-2005, 05:16 PM	#6
Hurst2112 College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Minneapolis	kick their ass Sea Bass! __________________ http://www.myspace.com/longliveanalog

12-02-2005, 05:17 PM	#8
SirFozzie Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: The State of Insanity	Probably did a search on FOF and that came up. __________________ Check out Foz's New Video Game Site, An 8-bit Mind in an 8GB world! http://an8bitmind.com

12-02-2005, 05:14 PM	#5
Solecismic Solecismic Software Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Canton, OH	Ugh. Not kosher at all. How did you hear of them? They just announced yesterday, right?

12-02-2005, 05:18 PM	#10
Hurst2112 College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Minneapolis	duh, on me. here i was referring to just FOF. I didn't realize that they use Front Office. That's a pretty big deal. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/longliveanalog

12-02-2005, 11:06 PM	#14
Swaggs Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	Didn't one of our posters have a site called Sim-something or other that got in trouble from EA and/or Maxis? __________________ DOWN WITH HATTRICK!!! The RWBL Are you reading In The Bleachers?

12-03-2005, 04:31 AM	#18
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	Yeah, I'd probably think that the game was associated with.made by the same people that make Front Office Football, just seeing the title on the site. I dont think that "Front office" is even a term used much at all in wrestling, definately not a coincidence IMO.

12-03-2005, 06:30 AM	#19
Farrah Whitworth-Rahn Red-Headed Vixen Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ	If they keep using WWE names in their game, Jim won't need to spend any legal fees to get them to knock it off. The WWE will take care of it for him. (3rd screenshot on the right, top left) They are very agressive in defending their trademarks. Trust me on that one.

12-03-2005, 10:33 AM	#20
Solecismic Solecismic Software Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Canton, OH	This is a complex situation. From what I've read today, they came up with this name around the time the original Front Office Football was gaining attention. They've been planning this game for years, under another name specifically because they were aware of my trademark. But they still internally referred to it as FOF, and probably did so as well with their customers. I think they were testing the waters when they posted to Arlie's forum. The poster's name is the same as the AIM name of one of the founders of Geeksoft. He didn't seem surprised at all when I contacted him. We'll see how this plays out. The names are just too close, so something has to be done. I've spent too much time and money getting the name out there - I can't let that work be affected.

12-03-2005, 10:38 AM	#21
DanGarion Coordinator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The Great Northwest	So who's going to post on their message board for FOF that they can't wait for the next version of Front Office Football? __________________ Los Angeles Dodgers Check out the FOFC Groups on Facebook! and Reddit! DON'T REPORT ME BRO!

12-03-2005, 10:40 AM	#22
Airhog Captain Obvious Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Norman, Oklahoma	I am not good with copyright law, but one would think that since you put out a product years before they did, even if they came up with the name originally, that you have rights over that name, and by them using that name, it could hurt your business. __________________ Thread Killer extraordinaire Yay! its football season once again!

12-03-2005, 11:07 AM	#23
Solecismic Solecismic Software Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Canton, OH	Let's hope this doesn't have to get anywhere near a lawyer. We both lose if that happens. Sure, it would be a slam dunk legally, but that sort of thing creates long-lasting bad feelings from all parties. Please don't antagonize them in any way. The bottom line is that they're a group of text sports sim enthusiasts, too, and I hope they succeed in the end. I just hope they reconsider their choice of product names.

12-03-2005, 03:36 PM	#30
Farrah Whitworth-Rahn Red-Headed Vixen Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ	For the record, if anyone feels the need to use the initials "TPF" for anything, I'm totally fine with that.

12-03-2005, 03:57 PM	#31
JeeberD General Manager Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town of Flower Mound	I know of a pr0n board that has TPF as it's initials. You still cool with that? __________________ UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO

12-17-2005, 06:20 PM	#38
Joe Pro Starter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Minneapolis	what a gay name

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